Archives For August 2016

Let’s face it, most people dislike exercise. Or at least they think they do.

They say it takes up too much time, they don’t like to get sweaty, or maybe they’re so out-of-shape that exercise hurts.

Or maybe they’d just rather lie on the couch and eat cake.

I think that anyone who says they don’t like exercise is really saying that they don’t have any motivation.

Motivation is what gets you to stick with an exercise routine—even when it’s the last thing you feel like doing.

There isn’t a one-size-fits-all answer for motivation, since different things motivate different people. Try the following 7 reasons on for size and discover what motivates you:

Reason #1: Health
The long list of health benefits attributed to exercise should be enough motivation for anyone. Physical activity helps you achieve and maintain a healthy weight. It also helps lower bad cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure, while improving the amount of good cholesterol in your body.

Reason #2: Making Progress
When it comes to exercise, many people find it helpful to track their progress so they can see where they started and how far they go over time. Seeing improvements reminds you that your hard work is worth the effort. Perhaps you were only able to walk a mile, now you’re able to run two! Maybe you weighed in at 250 pounds, and now you’re down to 215! Track your progress using a regular journal, phone app, or fitness website. This is a great way to stay motivated and to remind yourself that while you may not notice your progress, you’re making progress every day!

Reason #3: Convenience
Many people don’t stick with an exercise routine when it becomes inconvenient for them. Whether you face a schedule change or don’t have time to drive to the gym, it’s important (and possible) to find a time and place that work best for you and your busy lifestyle. Just remember to be flexible! If you’re too tired at the end of the day, try waking up a few minutes early to fit in a workout.

Reason #4: Enjoyment
If exercise is a bore for you, find a way to make it fun. Everyone likes doing things they enjoy. You might hate running but enjoy swimming or riding a bike. Perhaps you don’t like being alone and would rather be social. So join a team! Or maybe you don’t like the idea of driving all the way to the gym, changing out, and exercising with a crowd. Find out when your local gym is least populated, and hit the weights then. Do what’s most fun for you and you’ll be less likely to stop.

Reason #5: Goal Achievement
If you’re just getting started in the world of exercise, a good place to start is by setting goals. How much weight would you like to lose? How far would you like to run? Working towards a goal is a great motivator. However, don’t set up for failure by striving after unrealistic goals. Do this and you’ll soon feel overwhelmed and give up altogether. To avoid this, set realistic milestones. When you reach them, enjoy your accomplishment and then set new goals to take your good health even further.

Reason #6: Increased Confidence
If you’re out of shape or overweight, it can take a lot of courage to start an exercise routine. Remember to be confident in who you are, no matter what size or shape. Don’t compare yourself to the skinny, toned figure strutting her stuff through the gym. Keep your eyes on your goal and don’t expect perfection after just a week of exercise. Strive to have your best body—not someone else’s.

Reason #7: Rewards
Rewards are a great motivator. In fact, much of what you do in life is motivated by a reward of some kind, whether intrinsic or extrinsic. When it comes to exercise, a good reward probably shouldn’t be an ice cream sundae, but it may be that new pair of jeans you’ve been eyeing, or perhaps a night out with friends. Maybe for you, weight loss and lowered blood pressure are reward enough. Just know that your hard work is paying off and deserves to be rewarded.

Are you doing just enough or going past the finish line?

I recently went out for a run. Just me and my thoughts. No headphones or any music to listen to.

Now running isn’t my favorite thing to do but I understand the benefits of cardiovascular training.

It was only a 20 minute jog and coming up to the end my thoughts went to something I have struggled with in the past.

I felt myself slowing down as I was getting closer to the end of my jog. It made me realize a common fault I have made many times when getting close to the end with many things I do.

As my thoughts drifted and I became present with what I was doing on my jog, so I picked up the pace. I started thinking of my good friend Bill Beck when he ran 50 miles for a charitable event. He was in pain with his knees, but what he did at the end was magnificent.

Even with all the pain he was in, he ran an extra mile.

Now that for me is going the extra mile.

Getting to the finish isn’t always enough. Its going that extra mile and following through with what you started.

As you get closer to the finish line it doesn’t mean slowing down, it means finishing strong. Finishing with a sprint to the line like athletes do after they have run a marathon, or a cycling event.

The finish line is not necessarily the end of the race. The box maybe ticked to say you have completed your desired outcome, but you still have to keep going with whatever is next.

Why should you go the extra mile?

1. It builds character.

When you go the extra mile, you develop a reputation to do more and be more. You instill in yourself to continuously do your best at all times no matter what. You become a better person by simply going the extra mile.

2.It’s the best thing to do.

Doing just enough or simply crossing the finish line is being average, being mediocre. You have to challenge yourself to be you best at all times. To go above and beyond what is expected of you. To follow through and continuously grow as an individual. By going the extra mile you you go into the unknown, down the road less travelled, and it is in the unknown that we learn, develop and grow.

3.It creates greater opportunities.

The road less travelled creates further opportunities that you may not have known existed. You never know what lies around the corner and it is the reason you should always go the extra mile.

Keep unleashing your true potential and giving your ultimate best long after you have completed your race.

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About Gavin

Gavin De Souza is a Certified Precision Nutrition Coach and Fitness Professional.

He has worked in several training facilities in the UK and US, specializing in Personal Training, Nutrition, Body Transformation, as well as Youth Fitness Development and Sport Specific preparation.

Gavin has been involved in the Fitness Industry since 2002.

In addition, Gavin focuses on helping to serve, mentor, inspire, lead and empower busy, successful, professionals, to find balance in their lives, so that they can unleash their true potential, to LOOK, FEEL and PERFORM at their ultimate best in sport and life.